Ransomware

What is ransomware?

Ransomware describes malware that prevents a user from accessing normal functions of a system unless a ransom is paid to its creator. Ransomware has become a growing threat to both individual and businesses that haven’t backed up their data.

How does ransomware work?

A typical scheme is for the ransomware to encrypt all of the data on a hard drive or server. The ransomware will display a message that says the data cannot be decrypted until the victim has paid a ransom in bitcoin to a given bitcoin wallet address. Once the payment is made, the victim will be sent a password to decrypt the data.